Abstract
GaAs/AlGaAs high-power semiconductor laser diodes are widely used for optical data storage disks such as magneto-optical disks, mini disks, and phase-change disks. Improvement of the characteristics of high-power lasers is indispensable to achieve excellent performance of optical disks. The present paper reviews several laser structures developed to attain a high output power for high-speed data transferring in optical disks. Also reviewed are various laser structures developed to attain a low driving current and a low noise for low power operation and RF-module free pickups in optical disks.
